Era: I was a farmer at the foot of Yaoling Mountain

Time flies.

Yaoling Agriculture completed its year-end settlement, and the Electrical Appliances Group also transferred the dividends.

This was the first dividend payout in the history of the electrical appliance group, which also made many people see the benefits of investing in the company.

In the past two years, there has been a strong push to develop township enterprises, but very few township enterprises have actually managed to break through the competition.

With this 10 billion yuan dividend, Yaoling Agriculture's financial situation is now very good.

"Do you think we'll get a bigger dividend this year?"

"With the company doing so well, there will definitely be more money distributed. I estimate that everyone will receive 3500 yuan or even more."

"Isn't 3500 yuan too conservative? I guess I'll get 4000 yuan in hand."

The members were discussing it animatedly, and an optimistic mood spread throughout the various brigades.

morning.

The Yaoling Cooperative, Tianbingyi Cooperative, Yaozhai and other organizations simultaneously issued announcements, informing everyone of this year's dividend plan, with each person receiving a dividend of 3000 yuan.

Many people were disappointed. The company made so much money in a year, but it was unwilling to share it with everyone.
So someone from the Yaoling Cooperative suggested holding a general meeting of all members to have the council come out and explain.

“Secretary, it’s our fault for not doing our job well. What was supposed to be a good thing has turned into this mess.”

Several directors of the cooperative rushed to find Fang Wei. At first, they didn't take it seriously, but the situation escalated, and people kept gathering nearby to demand an explanation.

"This is outrageous, I'll go check it out."

Fang Wei knew that he had overlooked people's greed, and that the organization had not sent anyone to explain the situation.

As he came out of his office, he saw a large crowd gathered in the open space outside the cooperative's courtyard.

"Let's start with the first brigade. We're holding a meeting now, and I'll explain it to you."

After Fang Wei came out, many people subconsciously took a few steps back.

They all understand very well that the good life they enjoy today is the result of working with Secretary Fang.

Fang Wei took the megaphone from the staff member and began to announce that a meeting of the members of the first brigade was to be held, and that the members of the other brigades should go back and wait for further instructions.

The crowd gradually dispersed, demonstrating his high prestige and the respect he commanded.

"So, not a single person from the whole team showed up. What a bunch of bastards."

The other council members lost face. In the end, all the trouble came from members of other brigades. No one from the brigade where Fang Wei used to be the branch secretary caused trouble.

Fang Wei glanced at them a few times without saying anything. Soon, the members of the brigade who had been notified arrived and began a meeting on this open space.

He discussed this year's profit-sharing plan and also mentioned that next year's profits would definitely not be as good as this year's.

"We should do things in a steady and long-term way. If we distribute and spend all the money we have as soon as we get it, how will we survive in the future? Now let's vote. Those who agree to the profit-sharing plan, please raise your hands."

Without much preamble, the voting process began quickly.

All the members of the brigade supported the plan; not a single one opposed it.

The staff recorded the voting results, and the members of the Second Brigade who had been notified arrived at the scene.

The rest of the procedure was the same, except that a different director was standing at the front to explain. Fang Wei remained where he was, quietly waiting for the vote results.

The voting results for the second brigade were similar, with the vast majority of members supporting this year's profit-sharing plan.

The general meeting of all members took three days to conclude, with over 90% of the members voting in favor. After all, Fang Wei's words were very practical: life should be lived slowly and steadily, and in years of plenty, one should remember the hardships of years of disaster; saving more is also for the sake of balance.

"Secretary Fang, should we deal with those ringleaders who want to hold a meeting of commune members to demand an explanation from us?"

"It is their right to propose convening a general meeting of commune members. As long as they do not take any extreme actions, their actions are legitimate and legal. What is there to deal with? Let's just drop this matter."

Fang Wei waved his hand, indicating that he did not intend to make an example of someone.

He admired the actions of those individuals; knowing to convene a members' meeting to protect their rights was itself a step forward.

The matter was resolved, and Yaoling Agriculture transferred this year's dividends to the cooperative.

The dividends are distributed to the members at a rate of 3000 yuan per person, and the cooperative also retains some funds.

In order to improve everyone's living and working environment, the commune has been carrying out livelihood projects, all of which require money.

"Everyone, in the future, we must make sure to explain things clearly to the members in advance. If there is too much opposition, then we need to reflect on our actions and avoid similar incidents involving profit distribution in the future."

A few days later, Fang Wei convened a board meeting and criticized several board members.

The last incident caused a backlash because their preliminary work wasn't done properly. If they had explained things correctly back then, that incident wouldn't have happened at all.

"Please rest assured, Party Secretary, we will definitely strengthen our work in this area in the future and will never allow this incident to happen again."

The board members made a self-criticism and repeatedly assured the board.

Fang Wei nodded, adjourned the meeting, and then got up and went home. A little while later, Pan Lianhua also returned home, just as her aunt had finished preparing dinner.

Soon after, Master Sun entered the room, and everyone began to eat dinner.

"Master, are you very busy today?"

"Yes, I went to the Third Brigade today. There was a patient there whose condition was quite serious, so I and his family took him to the county hospital."

"Can't you cure it?"

"His condition is very urgent. It would be better for him to have surgery at the hospital to avoid delaying his treatment."

Everyone started eating, and Fang Wei chatted with Sun Daoren for a few minutes.

The old Taoist priest looked tired. Pan Lianhua served him a bowl of chicken soup. This year's chicken soup contained some medicinal herbs, which were good for his health.

"Master, why don't you go to the Taoist temple and rest for a few days? Don't overwork yourself."

Pan Lianhua gave Sun Daoren a suggestion, but she didn't expect him to overwork himself.

As the old man grew older, his energy waned and his physical functions declined. Yet, he still insisted on seeing the villagers every day. His wife and hesitant husband were very worried about his health and hoped he could take a break.

"It's alright, I know my own body. I've just been a little tired lately, it's nothing serious. Binbin will be on vacation soon. When he comes back, I'll take him to the temple for a few days and test him on what he's learned this semester."

Sun Daoren did not refuse, but said that he would go to the mountain to rest for a while after Binbin came back from his holiday.

Actually, he's in pretty good health; he exercises every day. Even a younger person might not be able to handle the intensity of his work. Seeing him say this, Fang Wei and Pan Lianhua didn't say anything more.

The next day.

Fang Wei arrived at the office in the morning, and the staff immediately brought him the day's documents and newspapers.

"Ok?"

He first flipped through the documents, and then he saw the notice from the higher authorities that the county had forwarded.

The notice requires the proper handling of the "medical clinics" left over in rural areas. All staff members will be transferred to township health centers after passing the assessment. "Barefoot doctors" who have reached retirement age will have their retirement procedures processed by the respective counties.

Personnel who have not undergone the required assessment are not allowed to practice medicine privately in rural areas.

The document requires a blanket approach: all levels of rural organizations will no longer retain clinics, and primary healthcare services will be provided by township health centers.

Fang Wei then convened a meeting with several council members and the captains of each brigade to discuss how to properly handle the issues concerning the infirmary and its personnel. He could only follow the official documents, and presumably, all the administrative villages had received the same notification.

As soon as everyone entered the meeting room and sat down, a staff member knocked on the door and came in, saying, "Leaders, people from the township have arrived."

He stepped aside, and Zhao Yong and two township officials walked in.

"Secretary Fang, did I disturb your meeting?"

"What do you think, Secretary Zhao? We're having a meeting to discuss closing the clinic and the resettlement of the staff. You didn't come here just for this, did you?"

There is no superior-subordinate relationship between the two. Because they usually get along well, they speak very casually.

Zhao Yong's sudden visit was indeed for this matter, so he didn't stand on ceremony and sat down to Fang Wei's left after entering.

Fang Wei had to give the other party some face, so he got up and sat opposite Zhao Yong. That way, there would be no question of who was superior or inferior.

"Secretary Zhao, you go first."

Fang Wei didn't want to steal the spotlight from Zhao Yong, so she asked him to speak first.

The other party stated the requirements from higher authorities: all regions must close their medical clinics within the stipulated time.

"As for the placement of personnel, this is my plan: all those who pass the assessment will be assigned to work at the township health center. Those who do not pass the assessment or reach the retirement age will be processed for retirement."

After all, these barefoot doctors have dedicated themselves to rural healthcare for many years, and it would be unreasonable to abandon them now because of policy changes.

Therefore, Zhao Yong's proposed solution is quite favorable.

"The clinic has brought many benefits to the villagers. Minor illnesses can be treated in the village, saving everyone a lot of time and money. Now, you just want to close it down like that? Have you even considered our interests?"

One of the captains, who was rather impatient, started criticizing immediately after hearing the story.

Then many people echoed his sentiments, making Zhao Yong feel very embarrassed. He regretted not communicating with Fang Wei beforehand; wasn't he just asking for trouble?

"Alright, everyone, say less. This matter has nothing to do with Secretary Zhao, nor with the county. The matter is settled, and complaining won't help. I think Secretary Zhao's idea is quite good."

These people were getting increasingly absurd with their words, so Fang Wei tapped the table, and the conference room fell silent.

Zhao Yong was quite envious. He had been in the village for quite some time, but his prestige was far inferior to that of Secretary Fang.

Next, Fang Wei directly arranged for the closure of the clinic and discussed with Zhao Yong how to resolve the historical issues as soon as possible. Whether it was processing retirement or going to work at the township health center, there needed to be a resolution; it couldn't be dragged on indefinitely.

"Secretary Fang, don't worry. The county will organize an assessment after the New Year, and everything will be taken care of after the assessment. There will be no delays whatsoever."

Zhao Yong immediately expressed his opinion, and Fang Wei then adjourned the meeting.

Everyone dispersed, and Zhao Yong also asked the accompanying township officials to leave first, then asked:
“Secretary Fang, Old Sun’s matter may be difficult to handle. He can’t be considered a barefoot doctor, but he has done a lot of work to save lives over the years. If he is left without a place to live, I will feel bad.”

"Old Sun doesn't need to go through the retirement process, so we won't cause you any trouble. Now there's a question: he can take the assessment, but if he passes it, will he still be able to practice medicine?"

Sun Daoren's situation is indeed very complicated; he can neither go to the health center nor enjoy retirement benefits.

However, Fang Wei knew that the old Taoist priest didn't care about this at all. He received dividends from the society every year, and the Sanqing Temple was all his property, so he couldn't possibly be short of money.

None of that matters, but the old Taoist priest has entered the world to cultivate, and it won't do to stop him from saving lives.

“I can’t make that decision myself. I’ll go to the county to ask later.”

Zhao Yong shook his head, indicating that he was powerless to help.

"You don't need to ask, I'll go find Secretary Cui right now."

Fang Wei immediately got up, ignoring Zhao Yong, and drove straight to the county.

When Cui Yiming saw him rushing around, he thought something serious had happened, but it turned out to be about Sun Daoren's medical license.

This left him somewhat amused and exasperated, and he said:
"The county hospital will organize an assessment later. With Mr. Sun's skill and reputation, are you worried about him failing the assessment? If he wants to continue practicing medicine, he can just go through the procedures for a rural clinic after the assessment."

Cui Yiming took the initiative to take on the matter, promising to help Sun Daoren complete all the formalities after the New Year.

Fang Wei was relieved, then thanked Cui Yiming and took his leave.

When Sun Daoren learned of this, he said with great emotion, "Third brother, there's no need for such trouble. If you don't let me practice medicine, I can go back to the mountain and stay there. It will be much more peaceful for me."

"You've saved so many lives, you can't just leave without giving us an explanation. Whether you can practice medicine in the future is irrelevant. Once the paperwork is done, just leave it there. You can open your practice whenever you want, or you can rest whenever you don't want to."

Fang Wei also poured a lot of effort into the infirmary and had a deep affection for it.

He's actually a little reluctant to cancel it now that it's being withdrawn.

But he was reluctant to give it up, and there was nothing he could do. Circumstances were beyond his control, so he could only comply, but he was still seething with anger inside.

"Third brother, times have changed. We can't fight against fate. Don't dwell on the past either. Each generation has its own way of living. We should just live our own lives well."

Sun Daoren understood this deeply. He had been kicked out of the temple a few years ago, and if Fang Wei hadn't taken him in, he wouldn't know where he would have gone.

Fortunately, those difficult years were just a fleeting moment in the long river of life. Over the years, he has been practicing Buddhism and treating patients in the village, and has long since achieved enlightenment.

"Okay, then let's wait and see."

Fang Wei gradually calmed down after hearing Sun Daoren's words.

He thought, just as Cui Yiming had said, that the matter would not be resolved until after the New Year, but to his surprise, Sun Daoren's rural clinic was approved very quickly.

When the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital heard that they were going to assess Master Sun, who dared to step forward? They were all from the same county, and everyone knew each other. Their skills were so low that they weren't even qualified to be his apprentices, let alone assess him.

Therefore, the so-called assessment was merely a formality, and then Master Sun obtained his medical license. (End of Chapter)